Episode 3 of "Dabba Cartel" resumes precisely where the previous episode concluded, with Chavan holding the ladies at bay, a gun aimed menacingly at them. Sheila remains unperturbed by the weapon's presence, prompting Chavan to recognize her as someone who could prove useful. He decides to grant the ladies a lifeline, challenging them to redeem themselves by utilizing their Dabba business to distribute his products.
Sheila unveils fragments of her past, revealing that she once ran the operations for Sultan Mirza. Mala and Raji are oblivious to his identity, but Shahida's eyes widen in recognition; Sultan Mirza was a notorious Mumbai mafia don, the subject of a cinematic portrayal. With confidence, Sheila vows to shield them from Chavan's wrath, provided they adhere strictly to her directives.
In Amritsar, Pathak delves deeper into the Modella mystery. He visits the hospital where Dr. Chawala once practiced, only to discover that the doctor fled the country two months prior. Over lunch with the hospital receptionist, whom he persuades with a charming invitation, Pathak uncovers that Dr. Chawala had an unusual prescription habit: Modella was his go-to pain relief medication for all patients. The receptionist speculates that Dr. Chawala was in cahoots with Modella's manufacturer, receiving kickbacks for his prescriptions. When Parul passed away, Dr. Chawala reportedly absconded with his family to Canada. Pathak sweetens the deal by offering the receptionist money in exchange for information on patients still seeking Modella prescriptions.
Meanwhile, Sheila confronts Chavan, proposing to compensate for the losses. However, Chavan is singularly focused on expanding his product distribution. He entrusts Sheila with a kilo and a half of MDMA, giving her six months to dispose of it. Sheila counters with a bold claim—she can sell it within a month, though she withholds the conditions for her swift success. After parting ways with Chavan, Sheila seeks out Moushumi, her long-standing ally who continues her life as a drug dealer, now working under Chacko Kurien's wing.
Drawing upon their once-strong bonds of friendship, Moushun reluctantly agrees to lend a hand, stipulating two key conditions. Firstly, her team will refrain from direct sales to customers, instead compiling a list of addresses for Sheila, who will personally oversee all deliveries. Secondly, should Chacko detect any competition encroaching upon their territory, Moushumi must immediately halt her distribution of Sheila's products.
As Pathak persists in his quest to locate Modella in Amritsar, Sheila assumes control of Raji's bustling kitchen. Moushumi's assistants gather orders from eager clientele, while the ladies diligently manage the dabba deliveries, with Sheila meticulously monitoring sales figures. Moushumi collects the profits, and one of her trusted lieutenants conveys the moneybags to Sheila. The operation seems seamless, filling Mala with excitement at the sight of the substantial sums, whereas Raji yearns for Chavan's prompt departure from their lives.
Turning to the Modella saga, Pathak obtains an address for Medipoint pharmacy, where he can procure the elusive substance. Meanwhile, Preeti receives an update on Bhowmick following what appeared to be an intimate outing with Shahida. Ironically, Bhowmick is employed at Medipoint. However, he stonewalls any discussion regarding his dismissal from VivaLife without a court mandate.
Varuna's Sitara boutique finds itself teetering on the brink of financial ruin. Denied a bank loan, closing down emerges as her sole viable option. Shahida confronts Varuna over a bounced rent check, prompting desperate pleas for additional time to rectify the situation. In mercy, Shahida grants her a week's reprieve.
Elsewhere, Sheila presents Chavan with his earnings, impressing him with her success. He extends an invitation for her to continue selling his merchandise, but Sheila counters with a bold proposal. She demands a 20% profit share, a staggering fourfold increase from the standard 5% supplier cut. Chavan hesitates, yet Sheila stands firm. She asserts that while Chavan may possess the product, she commands the Mumbai market. Ready to persist in her MDMA sales, she makes it clear that she can thrive with or without his drugs.
Sheila deceives the ladies by fabricating a tale of Chavan's ultimatum: if they refused to persist in distributing his products, he would expose their marijuana trafficking activities. To further entwine them in his web, Sheila not only revamps Raji’s kitchen but also officially registers the business under her guidance. Mala takes on the role of manager overseeing deliveries, establishing a female-only motorcycle courier service. Unique courier bags and uniforms, emblazoned with Raji’s Tiffin’s logo, become their trademarks. The riders, adhering strictly to Google Maps’ directions and refraining from direct customer interaction, ensure the business flourishes. The profits skyrocket beyond the ladies' ability to conceal them discreetly in sofa cushions or closet nooks.
Mala, Shahida, and Sheila exude enthusiasm over the burgeoning success of their venture, whereas Raji grapples with accepting its newfound scale. Nevertheless, she hands over her share of the earnings to Hari, contributing to their savings for Germany. Meanwhile, at work, Hari and his colleagues catch a news segment focusing on Modella. The anchor interviews Aditya, a reporter who sheds light on the chemical makeup of the product. Hari's mind flashes back to an incident where he glimpsed Aditya’s name on Shankar’s assistant’s phone. Among the five companies cited by Aditya for fentanyl exports stands VivaLife Pharma.
Turning back to Raji’s Kitchen, relentless downpours wreak havoc, flooding the entire premises due to its dilapidated condition. Kishori, the realtor, callously discards an old, opulent sofa into the rain-soaked streets. This incident serves as a wake-up call for the ladies, realizing they must devise a more prudent method for handling their burgeoning wealth. Shahida reveals she knows someone who can assist them in this endeavor. As the episode concludes, Shahida, carrying the ancient yet exorbitantly priced sofa, strides into Varuna’s boutique, setting the stage for yet another twist in their tale.
